2011 Trip Reports
Gibraltar Point 20th January to 23rd January 2011
This was my first visit to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Gibraltar Point and with my good friend Rob Martyr previously the warden at Rainham now working here I had some great inside knowledge of what was on site and where.
Friday was my first day on the reserve and an early morning start in near perfect conditions allowed me some time to get quite close to the flock of 21 Shore Lark in the dunes.
After a break for lunch I walked some more of the reserve although there was plenty to see I took very few shots, I decided to make my way back to the car and café to refuel and as I approached the centre a stunning Short Eared Owl was hunting the marsh I set up on a bridge that forms part of the trail from the centre to the dunes and couldn’t believe my luck when a Barn Owl joined in the hunt. Both Owl’s flew very close at times but the 500mm lens coped well. I was later told that although the Barn Owl was a regular the Short Eared Owl was usually only seen after dusk.
To cap off a great day a male Hen Harrier flew through at speed, part of the roost of 6 that I watched later.
Saturday didn’t quite live up to expectations after being totally spoilt the previous day. Light conditions weren’t as good so I spent more time getting to know the reserve. The Barn Owl did put in another appearance and a female Hen Harrier quartered the same area but kept her distance.
I had a great stay and must thank Rob and Katie for their hospitality and info.
A great reserve with tons of photographic potential to which I will definitely be back soon.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 28th January
After some long negotiations at work and with thanks to the staff at Rainham I can now complete my working day on Fridays at 10 am allowing me more time to organise and lead the “be a better wildlife photographer” walks around the Rainham reserve. We didn’t have a walk booked today but I thought I would spend a little time around the feeding stations in preparation for the next walk. The conditions were less than ideal for photography as the wind was quite strong to say the least and cloud cover at around 95%.
Due to the time of year the flock of feeding Goldfinch had now increased to around 60 birds and once they got accustomed to my presence they were readily coming to the feeders.
As they queue squabbles break out and allow for some great action / flight shots but in these conditions a high ISO is needed. I spent around 3 hours here but as the light faded it got almost impossible to get anything decent.
I think I ended up keeping only 4 or 5 shots.
Definitely worth a try just need more light next time.
Lee Valley 29th January 2011
My first visit to the LVNP hides this year and as usual they didn’t disappoint.
I arrived at 7.00 to find the main gates locked (a bit of a pain meaning you have to park in the farm café car park and walk twice the distance) never mind it was a nice frosty but bright morning and I was rearing to go.
I set up a single branch perch and also the t handle that I found on the wood pile. The birds were a bit slow to appear and seem a little down I numbers from my last visit they all the usual suspects where about.
The female Muntjac made two appearances but seemed very wary.
Unfortunately I fluffed the shot of the day which was a male Bullfinch coming down to drink.
I was focused on the closer t handle with a 70-200 mm set up when he landed!
Also of note the female Sparrowhawk was collecting nest material nearby.
Despite missing the Bullfinch I still enjoyed the day.
North Norfolk 11th February to 12th February 2011
As Nth Norfolk is always a great trip at this time of year I took advantage of an offer from Travel Lodge and booked a one night stay at Kings Lynn.
I knew the Snow Bunting at Salthouse where really showing well and coming into summer plumage this was to be my first stop.
I set off at 5.00am and by 7.15am was in the car park with no other cars around I positioned the car in the usual spot with the grassy bank to my right. Using the car as a hide the Turnstone where the first to appear followed shortly by a flock of 30 or so Snow Bunting.
As usual they were pretty flighty and whenever a Gull appeared they would retreat to the shingle dunes.
After spending 5 hours here I took a slow drive along the coast stopping at a few sites until arriving at RSPB Titchwell, the high tide had been at mid morning so everything on the beach was getting further away.
The new hides that had just opened where worth a look with quite a number of Lapwing and Shovler showing well but as I walked back along the causeway the Northern Harrier flew straight over, a bird I really wanted to see on this trip but didn’t think I would have a chance of photographing.
Although only record shots I managed to fire off 5.
I had attempted a visit to Sculthorpe Moor last year but it was shut due to icy boardwalks I thought I would try again.
I only visited one hide the Whitley hide that overlooks a large reed bed but what a place.
The patch of open water directly in front of the hide is home to a very showy Water Rail.
Both ends of the hide are bird tables that attract various finches including at least two pairs of Bullfinch they showed incredibly well and while spent most of there time on the tables I did get a few shots as they approached, you just have to be patient.
Reed bunting, Brambling and Long Tailed Tits are also around.
I was a bit disappointed to read a notice complaining about photographers spending hours on end in the hide! I’m not sure what they think birdwatchers do! And as you can view both feeding stations from almost anywhere in the hide I’m not sure this is necessary.
The New Forest 14th February to 18th February 2011
For the past few years I have tried to visit the New Forest in January or February to catch the winter visitors like Brambling and this year is no exception.
I booked in at Sandy Balls staying in one of their brilliant 6 berth lodges, with a pub, take away and shop on site it is always a great base to explore the whole of the New Forest.
We (My Wife and my parents) arrived around midday and as you cannot check in until after 3.00pm spent a little time at Cadnams Pool. No Brambling but Nuthatch, Marsh and Coal Tits were all present.
On Tuesday I was helping to guide a Boozy Birders trip lead by Howard Vaughan. We started at Pig Bush near Lyndhurst on the lookout for the Great Grey Shrike that usually winters in the area.
The conditions were terrible driving rain and a cold wind forced us to rethink our plans and head straight for Blashford Lakes to take advantage of the hide there.
The woodland hide was particularly productive with plenty of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll (one Mealy) on the feeders.
The weather had improved slightly so we walked round spotting 2 red head Smew, Goosander, Wigeon, Gadwall etc.
After lunch we moved to Eyeworth pond for Mandarin and Marsh Tit. From here it was onto Blackwater Arboretum where a small roost of Hawfinch is reliable.
This was a bit of a whistle stop tour but was hopefully enjoyed by everyone.
Wednesday we decided to visit The Owl and Otter sanctuary.
After more time with the Nuthatch etc at Cadnams Pool Thursday we went horse riding.
I was really pleased with the results from today with 3 individual Nuthatch performing well.
Friday was our final day and after a brief stop back at Blashford we headed home.
Another good trip but all too brief.
This was my first visit to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Gibraltar Point and with my good friend Rob Martyr previously the warden at Rainham now working here I had some great inside knowledge of what was on site and where.
Friday was my first day on the reserve and an early morning start in near perfect conditions allowed me some time to get quite close to the flock of 21 Shore Lark in the dunes.
After a break for lunch I walked some more of the reserve although there was plenty to see I took very few shots, I decided to make my way back to the car and café to refuel and as I approached the centre a stunning Short Eared Owl was hunting the marsh I set up on a bridge that forms part of the trail from the centre to the dunes and couldn’t believe my luck when a Barn Owl joined in the hunt. Both Owl’s flew very close at times but the 500mm lens coped well. I was later told that although the Barn Owl was a regular the Short Eared Owl was usually only seen after dusk.
To cap off a great day a male Hen Harrier flew through at speed, part of the roost of 6 that I watched later.
Saturday didn’t quite live up to expectations after being totally spoilt the previous day. Light conditions weren’t as good so I spent more time getting to know the reserve. The Barn Owl did put in another appearance and a female Hen Harrier quartered the same area but kept her distance.
I had a great stay and must thank Rob and Katie for their hospitality and info.
A great reserve with tons of photographic potential to which I will definitely be back soon.
RSPB Rainham Marshes 28th January
After some long negotiations at work and with thanks to the staff at Rainham I can now complete my working day on Fridays at 10 am allowing me more time to organise and lead the “be a better wildlife photographer” walks around the Rainham reserve. We didn’t have a walk booked today but I thought I would spend a little time around the feeding stations in preparation for the next walk. The conditions were less than ideal for photography as the wind was quite strong to say the least and cloud cover at around 95%.
Due to the time of year the flock of feeding Goldfinch had now increased to around 60 birds and once they got accustomed to my presence they were readily coming to the feeders.
As they queue squabbles break out and allow for some great action / flight shots but in these conditions a high ISO is needed. I spent around 3 hours here but as the light faded it got almost impossible to get anything decent.
I think I ended up keeping only 4 or 5 shots.
Definitely worth a try just need more light next time.
Lee Valley 29th January 2011
My first visit to the LVNP hides this year and as usual they didn’t disappoint.
I arrived at 7.00 to find the main gates locked (a bit of a pain meaning you have to park in the farm café car park and walk twice the distance) never mind it was a nice frosty but bright morning and I was rearing to go.
I set up a single branch perch and also the t handle that I found on the wood pile. The birds were a bit slow to appear and seem a little down I numbers from my last visit they all the usual suspects where about.
The female Muntjac made two appearances but seemed very wary.
Unfortunately I fluffed the shot of the day which was a male Bullfinch coming down to drink.
I was focused on the closer t handle with a 70-200 mm set up when he landed!
Also of note the female Sparrowhawk was collecting nest material nearby.
Despite missing the Bullfinch I still enjoyed the day.
North Norfolk 11th February to 12th February 2011
As Nth Norfolk is always a great trip at this time of year I took advantage of an offer from Travel Lodge and booked a one night stay at Kings Lynn.
I knew the Snow Bunting at Salthouse where really showing well and coming into summer plumage this was to be my first stop.
I set off at 5.00am and by 7.15am was in the car park with no other cars around I positioned the car in the usual spot with the grassy bank to my right. Using the car as a hide the Turnstone where the first to appear followed shortly by a flock of 30 or so Snow Bunting.
As usual they were pretty flighty and whenever a Gull appeared they would retreat to the shingle dunes.
After spending 5 hours here I took a slow drive along the coast stopping at a few sites until arriving at RSPB Titchwell, the high tide had been at mid morning so everything on the beach was getting further away.
The new hides that had just opened where worth a look with quite a number of Lapwing and Shovler showing well but as I walked back along the causeway the Northern Harrier flew straight over, a bird I really wanted to see on this trip but didn’t think I would have a chance of photographing.
Although only record shots I managed to fire off 5.
I had attempted a visit to Sculthorpe Moor last year but it was shut due to icy boardwalks I thought I would try again.
I only visited one hide the Whitley hide that overlooks a large reed bed but what a place.
The patch of open water directly in front of the hide is home to a very showy Water Rail.
Both ends of the hide are bird tables that attract various finches including at least two pairs of Bullfinch they showed incredibly well and while spent most of there time on the tables I did get a few shots as they approached, you just have to be patient.
Reed bunting, Brambling and Long Tailed Tits are also around.
I was a bit disappointed to read a notice complaining about photographers spending hours on end in the hide! I’m not sure what they think birdwatchers do! And as you can view both feeding stations from almost anywhere in the hide I’m not sure this is necessary.
The New Forest 14th February to 18th February 2011
For the past few years I have tried to visit the New Forest in January or February to catch the winter visitors like Brambling and this year is no exception.
I booked in at Sandy Balls staying in one of their brilliant 6 berth lodges, with a pub, take away and shop on site it is always a great base to explore the whole of the New Forest.
We (My Wife and my parents) arrived around midday and as you cannot check in until after 3.00pm spent a little time at Cadnams Pool. No Brambling but Nuthatch, Marsh and Coal Tits were all present.
On Tuesday I was helping to guide a Boozy Birders trip lead by Howard Vaughan. We started at Pig Bush near Lyndhurst on the lookout for the Great Grey Shrike that usually winters in the area.
The conditions were terrible driving rain and a cold wind forced us to rethink our plans and head straight for Blashford Lakes to take advantage of the hide there.
The woodland hide was particularly productive with plenty of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll (one Mealy) on the feeders.
The weather had improved slightly so we walked round spotting 2 red head Smew, Goosander, Wigeon, Gadwall etc.
After lunch we moved to Eyeworth pond for Mandarin and Marsh Tit. From here it was onto Blackwater Arboretum where a small roost of Hawfinch is reliable.
This was a bit of a whistle stop tour but was hopefully enjoyed by everyone.
Wednesday we decided to visit The Owl and Otter sanctuary.
After more time with the Nuthatch etc at Cadnams Pool Thursday we went horse riding.
I was really pleased with the results from today with 3 individual Nuthatch performing well.
Friday was our final day and after a brief stop back at Blashford we headed home.
Another good trip but all too brief.
